Call it the ‘boomerang effect.’ Australian Dante Exum will declare for the NBA draft, and that could have a significant impact on the draft status of former Flower Mound Marcus guard Marcus Smart.

A smooth 6-6, 188-pound guard, Exum will be the biggest wildcard in what could be one of the most talent-rich NBA Drafts in decades. Depending on the draft order and how he fares during individual workouts, he could go anywhere in the top seven picks. ESPN’s Chad Ford said Exum – who had breakout performances over the summer at the Nike Hoop Summit and the FIBA Under-19 World Championship – is widely regarded by scouts and GMs as a top-five pick. Ford projects him as the fourth player drafted and the first point guard taken.

If he is the first guard to go, it could put Smart in a precarious position. From picks No. 3 to 10, each slot down the draft board would pay him $1 million to $300,000 less over a three-year contract (including an option year).

Smart put his NBA dreams on hold last April, when he was thought to be a consensus Top 3 selection. While he currently leading No. 8 Oklahoma State in points, assists and steals – with his field goal and 3-point shooting percentages up from a year ago – he’s no longer in the discussion for such a lofty pick. Four freshmen are jockeying to be the first player selected: Kansas duo Joel Embiid and Andrew Wiggins, Kentucky power forward (and former Plano Prestonwood star) Julius Randle and Duke forward Jabari Parker.

A return to Stillwater for the 2014-15 season might not be out of the question for Smart. Next year’s draft isn’t as top heavy, with Prime Prep’s Emmanuel Mudiay and fellow high schooler Tyus Jones and considered the top guard options.

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